Psychological services are provided to support students who have been referred for assistance across a diverse range of issues.

The goal is to enhance the mental health, behaviour, social competency and educational achievement of the student or prevent difficulties in these areas.

Techniques include individual or group counselling, classroom-based assessments and intervention. As the needs of our students are diverse, there is really no one-size fits-all method. Hence, we work hand in hand with parents, teachers and professionals to deliver care plans which are appropriate to the identified needs of each child.

Objective

To enhance the mental health, social competency and educational achievements of our pupils, or prevent difficulties in these areas.

Services

Cognitive assessment, assessment of adaptive behaviour and basic literacy skills are provided for pupils who are enrolled in our school. Psychological Intervention, Counselling and Therapy Interventions are provided to support pupils across a diverse range of issues (learning, emotional, social and behavioural issues, anxiety and stress) either in a one-to-one or small group setting.

The goal of social services in Grace Orchard School is to promote the well-being of students. We seek to help students who are in some form of hardship. The help we provide comes in many forms like subsidy and budget planning for financial cases, family or individual counselling for relationship problems. We seek to help the students the best we can so as to create a conducive environment for them to study.

Services

• Consultation and Counselling

• Financial Assesment and Home Visits

• Liaising with other social service agencies, voluntary welfare agencies, organs of state and ministerial agencies

• Referring families in hardship to the relevant avenue of assistance

• Providing appropriate subsidy for family in financial hardship

• Administering The Straits Time - School Pocket Money Fund (NCSS)

Occupational Therapy Intervention is carried out in Grace Orchard School to meet the diversified needs of children with learning difficulties and autism. Deficits include sensory motor functions, language, auditory visual, kinesthetic and tactile perceptions, the ability to think, to reason, to learn and remember. Intervention strategies aims at providing a strong motivating force and training in perceptual abilities, cognition, visual motor coordination, fine-gross motor coordination, locomotion and various other areas to develop the skills necessary for success in school work.

Intervention Strategies primarily include:

• Modulation

• Relaxation

• Hand Function (Fine-Gross)

• Handwriting

• Neuromuscular Facilitation

• Cognition

• Perception

• Activities of Daily Living

• Language / Communication

Speech Therapy serves persons with Communication and Swallowing difficulties. Speech Therapists assess, diagnose, formulate and implement intervention programs for persons with communication and swallowing difficulties.

Speech Therapy helps Grace Orchard School's students with:

• Difficulties in understanding spoken language or difficulty using words to express their thoughts.

• Difficulties in communicating meaningfully in social context.

• Difficulties in reading, writing and spelling.

• Slurred or unclear speech (difficulty in pronunciation).

• Dysfluent speech (e.g. stammering).

• Voice and Resonance problems (e.g. hoarse or nasal voice quality).

• Difficulties in swallowing food and drink and related oromotor problems.

• Difficulties in controlling drooling.

• Any other issues with communication and swallowing.

 

Speech Therapy services are provided to students in Grace Orchard School with:

• Down Syndrome

• Cerebral Palsy

• Global Developmental Delays

• Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Intellectual Disabilities

• Hearing Impairment

• Cleft Lip and Palate

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Any other conditions (eg. syndromes) with Communication and Swallowing difficulties

Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapy in school setting provides children with opportunities for positive experiences in the area of emotional and social functioning that translate into enhanced classroom functioning and increased ability to benefit from educational services. School art therapists work with teachers, parents, school counsellors and psychologists to coordinate art therapy referral, assessment and treatment.

Adapted from American Art Therapy Association

Who is Art Therapy For

• Students who have difficulties in expressing their emotions.

• Students with sensory processing issues.

• Students who have had early traumatic experiences.

• Students with social deficits and challenges in social skills.

• Students who have low self-esteem and confidence.

• Students who demonstrate challenging behaviours such as aggression, violent behaviours, self-harm, hostility, bullying, disruptive behaviours etc.

• Students experiencing challenging situations e.g. life transitions, family crisis such as divorce, bereavement etc.

 

Benefits of Art Therapy

• Expresses feelings difficult to discuss

• Promotes emotional healing

• Repairs deficits in developmental stages

• Stimulates imagination and creativity

• Develops healthy coping skills and focus

• Increases self esteem and confidence

• Clarifies issues and concerns